Althouse: "After a string of five similar winners, ['American Idol'] understandably would prefer a different kind of winner."

March 1, 2013

"After a string of five similar winners, ['American Idol'] understandably would prefer a different kind of winner."

"Whether by accident or design, this goal has been guaranteed by a total absence of straight, white males with sex appeal in the top 10."

28 comments:

Nonapod said...: American Idol? Is that still ont the air? The Voice is a much better show.; 3/1/13, 10:08 AM
Sorun said...: Good-looking straight white males were unaware of the show's continued existence. Thanks for the heads-up.; 3/1/13, 10:09 AM
chickelit said...: The "wisdom" of the deliberate move will be in the ratings.; 3/1/13, 10:12 AM
chickelit said...: Objective indicia and all that.; 3/1/13, 10:14 AM
Eric the Fruit Bat said...: I'm pretty sure the idea of a man having "sex appeal" was invented to sell Close-Up brand toothpaste.; 3/1/13, 10:16 AM
jimbino said...: Where's Charles Van Doren when we need him?; 3/1/13, 10:23 AM
Carol said...: Any straight man worth a damn would be singing with a rock band or trying to make it in Nashville. Not doing this lame contest shit.

Never have lead singers been so important in either genre as they are right now.; 3/1/13, 10:26 AM
Kelly said...: The show is awful. After Wednesday nights fiasco, I stopped watching.; 3/1/13, 10:44 AM
MnMark said...: This is America under "diversity".

Instead of becoming "post-racial" and race disappearing as an issue, race becomes a larger and larger issue as every aspect of society requires counting by race to see if every race has the same benefits as every other race.

This is why a homogenous, mono-racial society like is so great to live in. All of these issues simply vanish. When you watch American Idol, you can simply root for whoever is best. You don't have to suspect that if someone of your race doesn't win, that it's because of discrimination.

If you really want a society to eliminate the need to worry about discrimination, make it homogenous. It's no problem if there is a smattering of other races or other religions in a country, because it is still clear that the country belongs to the people who are the vast majority. The few minorities understand they are living in someone else's country and they will never really be part of it - the way white people living in Japan understand that, for example. But once there is no longer one monolithic majority race/religion, the minorities become resentful because they see no reason that the culture ought to represent them just as much as the (former) majority.

Diversity is not strength. It is strife and resentment and eventually violence.; 3/1/13, 10:45 AM
Baron Zemo said...: American Idol jumped the shark when it brought on Nicky Minaj. She is the proto-typical hatefilled reverse racist that is the benchmark of Barack Obama's America.

Even a drug addled moron like Steven Tyler knew what a disaster she would be. But of course he had to back down and plead that he was not a racist because that is what you have to do if you have an opinion that is not politically correct.

The ratings will continue to tank and this show will continue to sink.; 3/1/13, 11:04 AM
Baron Zemo said...: Everything has it's time and it is time for American Idol to close up shop.; 3/1/13, 11:05 AM
Lauderdale Vet said...: Not interested in watching this season.

I listen to everything from bluegrass to gothic symphonic metal. I don't really want a particular kind of a winner. I *am* kind of partial to female vocals, actually, but Phillip Phillips won me over last year when he sang "Volcano".

I'm just really turned off by these judges, and not willing to spend the coin of my time.; 3/1/13, 11:08 AM
Baron Zemo said...: The pity of it is that there were plenty of better people to use than the likes of Nicky Minaj and Mariah Carey.

But they blew it and destroyed their franchise.; 3/1/13, 11:16 AM
Anonymous said...: With the Academy Awards over for the year and the Inauguration over, I've found the next place I'll fantasize about Al Queda attacking.

Steer the planes lower, boys, or you'll miss Nicky Minaj's IQ!

Enjoy the decline!; 3/1/13, 11:16 AM
Charlie Currie said...: My family have been loyal viewers of Idol since the beginning. Not much interest this year...tried watching a couple of episodes...really bad...no more.

We're out.

Carrie Underwood will continue to as the last great Idol.

Cheers to us all; 3/1/13, 11:31 AM
Baron Zemo said...: This shouldn't be such a big deal. So they are picking the next American Idol the same way we picked our President.

That's what afirmative action does for you. Merit doesn't matter.

This is American Idol!; 3/1/13, 11:34 AM
Ann Althouse said...: Nicki Minaj is kind of the only thing I like about the show this season. She's invented a very funny character to play and does it well. Hilarious.

Everything else is a big drag. I'm so bored with Keith and Mariah being nice and all the hugging. Every single contestant has to hug every single judge every single week. That's not interesting to watch, and I don't think Mariah, especially, should be subjected to that kind of physical contact. That's not what should be done with a diva.; 3/1/13, 11:35 AM
Baron Zemo said...: Of course you like Nicky Minaj. That's why you voted for Obama the first time. You have to wait till she destroys the show before you change your mind.

I just hope that they don't try and replace her with Donny Osmond.

That's what the Republicans would do.; 3/1/13, 11:43 AM
Baron Zemo said...: If you go to the link on TWOP you will see how some commentors think that this is a good thing. That they should fix the contest so only minorities can compete and the show can move to BET.

How about them apples!; 3/1/13, 12:19 PM
SteveR said...: First off, there was a time when the show was fresh and somewhat unique. You could argue about real talent but there is no doubt that Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood are good at the business.

Secondly the judges have consistently gone downhill.

Thirdly the voting demographic has gone heavy toward tweeny girls, the aforemention Clarkson and Underwood could not have won in the last five to six years; 3/1/13, 12:29 PM
Baron Zemo said...: It is a great principle that if we don't like the election results we should fix it so the preferred (non straight white guy) result will happen.

As the song goes "Ain't that America for you and me."; 3/1/13, 12:35 PM
Known Unknown said...: Nicki Minaj is kind of the only thing I like about the show this season. She's invented a very funny character to play and does it well. Hilarious.

I don't care too much for Minaj, but she is technically the best judge out of the sorry lot. She actually judges.; 3/1/13, 12:59 PM
MadisonMan said...: I watched last night and the choices were horrible. No one did well. But it was pretty obvious as the 5 finalists were trotted out that Uncle Nigel has his dreadful men to run against the ladies.

I hope this doesn't mean Paul Jolley will win. He's totally grating.

Looking forward to whittling the 20 down to 10 next week. Then I can remember who is who.; 3/1/13, 1:00 PM
Shanna said...: I haven't watched in a while, but I suspect the judges ability to sway the vote has greatly diminished from what it was when the show started out. Which probably means no more fantasia win's. Which is not necessarily a bad thing. (I probably wouldn't say that if JHud had won that season though).

S7 was the year it went too far for me, and now I'm just amazed it's still on the air.; 3/1/13, 1:22 PM
NitneLiun said...: Minaj is the only judge whom you can count on to give an honest opinion and evaluation of the performances. She chews up the scenery but that's a small annoyance in exchange for her refreshing candor.; 3/1/13, 1:36 PM
damikesc said...: Man, people still watch "idol"?

Even if you love that genre, there are significantly better options out there.

The judges worked, for years, to drive votes for certain contestants. Than the people tuned them out. Then the judges stopped giving a shit.

Now...it's one of the more missable shows out there. It amazes me how they piss on such easy concepts. Heck, I like So You Think You Can Dance and they have worked really hard to have that show shit the bed in an epic manner.; 3/1/13, 2:59 PM
Baron Zemo said...: It looks like Nicky is gonna cut and run!

Thank heaven for small favors.

Of course the bad news is that she is going to perform again. Or whatever it is that she does.; 3/1/13, 6:55 PM
Lawyer Mom said...: Just imagining the magazine covers for this story makes me shudder.; 3/1/13, 9:51 PM